Dispelling Iowa Tight End Narratives

99topdawg

99topdawg

Well-Known Member
From the article:

There are two differences between the two players that really matter however: Hockenson is the better route runner and the better player post-catch. Fant is fast enough to get open on pure athleticism at the college level, but Hockenson is the more polished route runner while still bringing impressive natural traits to the field. He’s also the tougher player to bring down after the catch, showing more creativity and strength in the open field.​

@Ree4 and I were making that same point in the WHO GETS DRAFTED FIRST thread. Fant's athleticism doesn't translate to the dominance that you might expect. However, in the article cited above, it was pointed out how Fant brings great effort and technique to blocking. That certainly gives you reason to believe he is a hard worker, and he could develop those traits as a pro. That said, certain things like making yards after catch seem to be largely innate.
 
CP87 said:
From the article:

There are two differences between the two players that really matter however: Hockenson is the better route runner and the better player post-catch. Fant is fast enough to get open on pure athleticism at the college level, but Hockenson is the more polished route runner while still bringing impressive natural traits to the field. He’s also the tougher player to bring down after the catch, showing more creativity and strength in the open field.​

@Ree4 and I were making that same point in the WHO GETS DRAFTED FIRST thread. Fant's athleticism doesn't translate to the dominance that you might expect. However, in the article cited above, it was pointed out how Fant brings great effort and technique to blocking. That certainly gives you reason to believe he is a hard worker, and he could develop those traits as a pro. That said, certain things like making yards after catch seem to be largely innate.
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My post was asinine though if you remember, some people don't have a clue @skinnykilmer17
 
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Michigan and Iowa currently each have 1 tight end in the NFL and a good number of college teams have more.
 
wkeehawk said:
Michigan and Iowa currently each have 1 tight end in the NFL and a good number of college teams have more.
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Myers, Chandler, Moeaki all retired recently.

Kittle had the best year of any TE. We have 2 more 1st round draft picks (likely) coming into the league. Add in what Dallas Clark and now 2 Mackey award winners.

I think the body of work speaks for itself.
 
I’m not arguing I’m just pointing out this second the two are tied w one a piece. Yes when these two are drafted the hawks will have three which will equal some other teams. To act like Iowa is heads and shoulders way above everyone else is seeing things through blinders.
 
Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Florida all have three tight ends on NFL rosters.
Arkansas has two Mackey award winners in the last 8 years.
I am not advocating that they are but please don’t act like no other school has a history of tight ends. We aren’t the only school with players.
 
ibahawkeye said:
Myers, Chandler, Moeaki all retired recently.

Kittle had the best year of any TE. We have 2 more 1st round draft picks (likely) coming into the league. Add in what Dallas Clark and now 2 Mackey award winners.

I think the body of work speaks for itself.
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so did CJ Fed due to concussions.
 
To me it depends on what team you are and coaches which one you prefer. If your looking for an all around guy something similarish to Kittle than TJ is your man. If your looking for more of a spread the field and setup mismatches kind of guy than Fant is your guy. Nobody is going to draft Kyler Murray and try having him run Tom Bradys offense. Same sort of thing..
 
Mel Kiper's latest projection (no Fant in round 1):

8. Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Hockenson (6-5, 250) is a complete player who can run routes out of the slot on one play, then line up next to a tackle and blow up an edge defender in the running game on the next. I'm not going to call him a Rob Gronkowski clone, but there are similarities, particularly when you see each as blockers. And remember that Lions coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn saw firsthand what Gronk did for the Patriots during their time in the organization.
 
99topdawg said:
Mel Kiper's latest projection (no Fant in round 1):

8. Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

Hockenson (6-5, 250) is a complete player who can run routes out of the slot on one play, then line up next to a tackle and blow up an edge defender in the running game on the next. I'm not going to call him a Rob Gronkowski clone, but there are similarities, particularly when you see each as blockers. And remember that Lions coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn saw firsthand what Gronk did for the Patriots during their time in the organization.
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Holy smokes... That'd be pretty dang high. What's the highest a TE has ever been drafted? I almost hope Detroit don't take him because they've stunk forever. But yet their QB would sure throw it to him a lot if he got him though.
 
Hawkfnntn said:
Holy smokes... That'd be pretty dang high. What's the highest a TE has ever been drafted? I almost hope Detroit don't take him because they've stunk forever. But yet their QB would sure throw it to him a lot if he got him though.
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Recently, Vernon Davis was selected sixth overall. See below for other historically highly drafted TEs (Ditka!).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_Davis

Davis was selected sixth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.[13] He joined Kellen Winslow Jr. as the fourth highest tight end ever drafted after Ron Kramer, (Green Bay, fourth overall in 1957) Mike Ditka(Chicago, fifth overall in 1961), and Riley Odoms (Denver, fifth overall in 1972).
 
I cast a dispel spell on my mmo that I have been playing for fifteen years now and the narratives have been sent to another dimension, which they can technically come back from later but I can just cast the spell again and it will be okay.
 
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